Teen’s e-bike that was part of his Make-a-Wish gift is stolen from outside a Las Vegas McDonald’s

A Las Vegas teen’s Make-A-Wish e-bike that “gave him the freedom to just be a kid again” was stolen while he was picking up food at a McDonald’s, according to his family.

Jaiden Rector, a 16-year-old living with cystic fibrosis, said that on March 24, he and his mom Ashley Rector biked to McDonald’s, something he said he had been doing since he received his e-bike through Make-A-Wish last December.

Employees at the fast food joint stopped him at the window so he decided to go inside to order, leaving the bike outside and taking the keys from the ignition. When he came back out, the bike was gone.

“I order, I get my food, then I look back, and my bike was gone,” Jaiden told KSNV.

After searching the area and asking people if they had seen anything, Jaiden eventually went home without the bike, his family said.

The teen received his e-bike in December after requesting one. He said he wanted the bike so he could keep up with friends and do everyday activities.

“Once I tried my friend’s bike, I was like, ‘whoa, this is pretty cool,’” he said.

Jaiden was born with cystic fibrosis, a disease that causes damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. He said his diagnosis means he runs out of breath quicker, gets sick easier, and follows a daily routine of medications and treatments, including breathing treatments and a vibrating vest used to clear mucus from his lungs.

“It’s pretty hard taking pills every day, breathing treatments,” Jaiden said.

Jaiden’s mother said the bike gave him more independence and the ability to spend time with friends without overexerting himself.

“This gave him the freedom to just be a kid again and hang out with his friends,” she said. “He got to keep up because he didn’t have to pedal so much.”

So when Jaiden’s bike was stolen, Ashley said their family was devastated.

“We’re just devastated by the fact that someone took his bike, I’m sure they didn’t know it was his Make-A-Wish bike, but, you know, it was his Make-A-Wish bike, that was his wish,” she said.

The family has created a GoFundMe for Jaiden.